December Exhibitions & Events at Polk Museum of Art

The Reading Public Museum’s collection of works by American Impressionists. The exhibition includes more than 100 works, including more than 80 oil paintings and nearly 30 works on paper dating from the 1880s through the 1940s. The exhibition is arranged according to the artists’ colonies that played a critical role in the development of American Impressionism, including those at Cos Cob and Old Lyme in Connecticut; Cape Cod, Cape Ann, and Rockport, in Massachusetts; New Hope and Philadelphia in Pennsylvania; Taos, New Mexico; and California.

Neon Nostalgia

Dec. 10, 2016 – March 12, 2017

A collection of historical fiction vintage neon sign portraits painted by Lakeland artist Alison Lamons best described as nostalgic, tropical-industrial watercolor paintings. Lamons’s artwork was used as the poster art for Mayfaire by-the-Lake in 2016.

Tracing Antilles: A Shared Voyage

Through Jan. 15, 2017

An on-going project produced by multi-media artist Humberto Castro. Based on a series of historical and visual explorations of the islands of Greater Antilles (Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands), the artist investigates the evolution of culture in this highly complex region.

Unforseen Light: A study in reflection

Through Dec. 4, 2016

A showcase of photographer David Woods’s experimentation with High-dynamic-range photography. HDR is a digital technique that captures a more dynamic range of luminosity than other photographic processes.

Lessons from the Shadows

Through Dec. 3, 2016

New Orleans photographer Josephine Sacabo employs an array of photographic techniques to produce dream-like images that often illustrate historical and cultural narratives. Lessons from the Shadows focuses on two of Sacabo’s photography portfolios: Juana and the Structures of Reverie and Óyeme Con Los Ojos.

One Collector’s Dream

Through Dec. 3, 2016

This exhibition features art from the private collection of voice actor and comedian George Lowe, who has been an art collector for more than 30 years. His collection contains a variety of artworks from mid-century Pop Art to contemporary Folk Art.

Monkey Business: Ruben Ubiera at Polk Museum of Art

Through Dec. 31, 2016

For the first time in its 50-year history, the Polk Museum of Art partnered with accomplished Florida artist Ruben Ubiera to produce “Monkey Business,” an on-site, large-scale interior mural. Ubiera designed and created a unique mural measuring 16’ x 24’ onto one of the Museum’s most prominent walls. Ubiera has adopted the gorilla as an iconic power animal for the current state of street art. “Monkey Business” depicts that gorilla finally at home in a respected art museum. As an homage to the community that made this project possible, Ubiera uses Polk County-related imagery to form the gorilla’s body.

STUDENT EXHIBITIONS

Polk County Senior Exhibition

Dec. 17, 2016 – Jan. 22, 2017

This exhibition highlights the artwork of Polk County School District senior high school students.

Learning to be Me: K-2nd Grade Elementary Students Exhibition

Through Dec. 11

This exhibition highlights the work of Polk County School District elementary school students.

EVENTS

Elves Shelves

Nov. 26- Dec. 11

This special shop is for children only! Gifts are reasonably priced for children to purchase holiday items for family and friends. Elves Shelves fun includes a wrapping station. Admission is free. Prices of items vary.

Art Crawl

A one-day, juried art festival hosted and organized by Rick Olivo Studio in partnership with Polk Museum of Art. This show serves as a catalyst to emerging new artists from throughout Central Florida. Art Crawl encourages artists, art organizations and the community to experience, support, strengthen and collaborate.

Polk Museum of Art in Lakeland, Florida, is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the arts in Central Florida. The Museum is one of the Top 10 art museums in the State of Florida, an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and the only art museum accredited by the American Association of Museums serving the 561,000 residents of Polk County. Museum hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesdays – Saturdays; 1 – 5 p.m. Sundays; and closed Mondays and major holidays. Admission is free for everyone year-round, thanks to the following organizations and individuals: Tuesdays, thanks to Southeastern University; Wednesdays, thanks to a Friend of the Community; Thursdays, thanks to our partnership with the Chao Foundation; Fridays; Saturdays, thanks to MIDFLORIDA; and Sundays, thanks to Southern Homes. The Museum is fully accessible.